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As a magazine publisher, we offer our readers and advertisers the very best in special interest magazines in niche markets. As a total graphics resource, we integrate our expertise in commercial printing with our publishing knowledge to give our magazines, and those for whom we publish, the quality they deserve. As a consumer magazine publisher, we have to deliver the best editorial product available, or readers won't renew. Our performance meets the harsh reality of every one of our subscribers who writes a check to us every year.
Custom Publishing
We like to ask our prospects:
"We sold over $3.1 million of advertising last year. How did your printer do?"
"We renewed over 100,000 subscribers / members last year. How did your printer do?"
If you are like our publishing clients, you have enough to manage. We have solutions for soft ad sales, and proven direct mail techniques for membership development. We integrate our publishing expertise and an all-star direct marketing team with our leading edge short-run magazine printing facility to deliver unparalleled service and speed. One association client recently told us,
"I was happy with my printer. I had been with them for years. But, I had no idea what I was missing until I worked with Village Press."
Finally, our services can be all-inclusive or "a la carte." Just tell us where you need our expertise.
- Publishing Management
- Editorial Management & Copy Editing
- Design
- Membership Development
- Ad Sales, Invoicing and Receivables Management
- Fulfillment
- Printing
- Mailing
If you have any questions about our expertise or results, please feel free to contact our customers: Michigan State Medical Society, American Driving Association, Michigan Osteopathic Association, American Bonanza Association, International Comanche Society, Michigan Chamber of Commerce. They will tell you about improved design, strengthened ad sales, a better bottom line, and greater reader satisfaction. One small association client asked us to manage their association from our offices!
Examples
American Driving Society & Village Press, Inc.
Case Study in Custom Publishing
Situation: American Driving Society (ADS) is an equestrian association publishing two magazines: "The Whip" is a bi-monthly magazine for association members, and "Omnibus" is a semi-annual directory of upcoming ADS events. Both magazines were averaging less than $3,000 in advertising revenue per issue.
Benefits: Village Press became the design, marketing and advertising sales staff for ADS's Executive Director. Village Press prints, binds and mails both magazines, as well as invoicing and collecting advertising revenues.
Result: Within one year, average per issue advertising revenues are over $12,000. Also, for the first time, ADS was cited for design excellence and awarded a first and third place from the American Horse Publishing Association.
Michigan Osteopathic Association & Village Press, Inc.
Case Study in Custom Publishing
Situation: Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) has approximately 4,000 member physicians. MOA publishes "TRIAD" Magazine quarterly and "Update" Newsletter monthly. MOA needed assistance with advertising sales, graphic design, printing and mailing. Continued revenue challenges face MOA, as pharmaceutical advertising has continued to focus on consumers rather than physicians.
Benefits: Village Press sells advertising, designs, prints and mails "TRIAD" and "Update," providing MOA with a total solution to its member communication needs. MOA's leaders and staff members wear many hats, and need strong support from its key vendors.
Result: "I was happy with my previous printer. I had no idea what I was missing until I started working with Village Press." Village Press increased newsletter ad sales from an average of less than $2,000 per issue to over $3,100 per issue, with many record-breaking issues. Likewise, sales in MOA's magazine, directory and convention program have all experienced increases.
Michigan State Medical Society & Village Press, Inc.
Case Study in Custom Publishing
Situation: Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) established a strategic direction, including out-sourcing many functions which were not direct "touch points" with its members. Advertising sales, graphic design and copyediting were among the functions which met their criteria for sub-contracting.
Benefits: Village Press was selected as MSMS's publishing partner, and began selling advertising, designing, printing and mailing "Michigan Medicine." The relationship evolved to help MSMS "re-brand" its image. This included designing membership direct mail, building a new MSMS web site, establishing a graphic standards manual, launching a new public relations campaign (entitled "Who's in Your Corner") to MSMS members, and refreshing the overall look of "Michigan Medicine" Magazine, "Medigram" Newsletter, and all "house" advertising of MSMS's numerous services.
Result: Village Press increased MSMS's advertising revenue and improved its collections with invoicing and receivables management. The re-branding of MSMS has involved a complete re-design of its web site, and all of its print-related communications.
Just Labs Magazine A Celebration of the Labrador Retriever
Case Study in Launching a Consumer Magazine
Situation: In 2001, Village Press successfully launched a consumer, subscriber-driven magazine entitled "Just Labs." The launch of "Just Labs" followed tested guidelines which have insured the success of 16 other niche national consumer magazines. In 2002, "Just Labs" was named one of the "30 Outstanding Magazine Launches*" of 2001, out of a universe of over 1200 new titles.
Review:
Brief reviews of the steps involved are as follows:
- Identify unfulfilled niche market. Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed.
- Can that market be reached? We accumulated multiple lists, including our own, to find multiple purchasers of Labrador-related literature and products.
- Will the market support the magazine? Benchmarks are used in developing subscription frequency and price points. Potential advertisers are surveyed.
- Optimal launch date determined to coincide with frequency of product purchases by core readership.
- Direct mail pieces designed and tested.
- If test proves reliable, second direct mail test is launched along with first issue of magazine. Media kit designed and produced, and ad sales begin.
- Post-launch activities - too numerous to list - commence, in order to determine viability of magazine.
Result: We needed 13,000 subscribers to break-even. We surpassed the 22,000-subscriber benchmark, have increased the frequency of Just Labs, and raised the circulation price with no drop-off in subscriber satisfaction or renewal rates. Our readers enjoy "Just Labs" in all 50 states, 15 foreign countries, and on major newsstands.
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